The Wilmingtonian., 1887-12-24
> SATURDAY DEcEmBEK "a, 1887.
The III. and III. MemiOfs.

The ii. and H Memiors.
We gladly extend the Harlan and HOllings-
worth Company our Acknowledgements for
the courtesy of a copy of the Semi-Ceusaailiai
Memoirs of said company.
This is one Of she most altistically ar
ranged, comprehensive and volumenous re-
views ever attempted Ny any mechanical in
dustry in this city.
The first one hundred and twenty-five
papes are devoted to the "Art of Navigation"
tracing steamboat building from its in
ception down to the present date. The hrst
nractical steamboat on record made its debut
In the waters of the Potomac in 17S5 which |
was mere tub " hen contrasted with even
the most mediocre vessels of to-day; ana II
must be a source of justidable pride on the
part OF The Harlan and Hollingsworth Com
pany to know that the immense strides
made in Sbip-buildrg is largely due to their
enterprise and direction.
The history of Navigation is followed
by interesting description ofthe personnel of
the Founders of this, now mammoth estab-
lishment. This memoir is written in most
attractive style and is presented in most
elegently executed quarto of five hundred
pages.
The author of the work in his prefatio says:
Such Memorial as is intended by this
volume seems to call for some words OF ex-
phantom as to its purpose, origin and mater
ial as well as of the reasons that led to the
adoption of its form.
The excuse in brief, for setting forth in it's
present shape any review of the business
life of this Concern may be found in the fact
of the novelty which thus far in the history
of our country cannot fail to attach to the
attainment of Semi Centennial Anniversary
of the founding of any mercantile or manu-
featuring industry. To be.sure, it is not
Glalmeu bndI IutGo dlo NV llahJ Obhoi AAouoSo
whose continuous operations have covered
an equal period of time.
The paticular idea in theipresent instance,
upon which some emphasis is sought to be
laid, is the evidence herein contained of the
phenomenal growth of an industry which,
by its character aud its relations toward our
National life, prosperity and security, com
mands ita study to the interest of all patriotic
citizens. The rise and permanency of the
art of building is well recognized and
important element of the greatness Of the
Republic, and by the principle that the
greater con ntains the less, the fortunes o
each ship-building plant become of conse
quence in proportion to their usefulness @
capacity for service to the country in times
of stIe ess. 1t is therefore with some auticipa
tion that the narrative contained in thes
pages will be found of general interest t
the outside reader, as well as to the NOR
special advantage of those connected wit
the business, that the conclusion was reache
to adopt this form as the most fttiYg en-
for such Memoir.
AS likely to prove the;most enduring,
was to be preferred, for this reason, over tn
more ordinary style of celebration, wheuhe
by excursion, baGqnet, holiday commemor
alton OF otherwise. Iud, ed, the serious an
wide spread cnmmotion prevailing the labc
world, and the unhappy incidents conneote
with those demonstrations during the yea
1886 effectually prevented such substsnti;
evidences upon the part of the Company {
their good will and kindly regard for th
welfare of their employees as they shout
otherwise have been glad 0 provide.
Aside from the regret osoasioned by thes
circumstances however, it is felt that PEI
baps the most.appropriate of all Memorial
has, aften all, been selected in the conpil;
tion Of the Records Of the Concern at tn
stage of its development, since the stat
ments here made will serve the future gel
eratiors in the management Of the busineI
(assumi1g thatIit will survive and fouris
in the years to Gomez as a valuable guide an
inspiration in all their dealing
1t is, then, with the sincere wish thatsuc
shall become its mission, and that those WI
succeed us shall not only emulate the achiev
ments, but avoid the errors and short con
ings of their predecessors, that we comm
this volume to the tender criticism Of IL
Anti quar'an, who shall prepare its Cente
nial Revision.